Which of the following is NOT a common example of formal assessment?

• A. Standardized tests
• B. Criterion-referenced tests
• C. Anecdotal records
• D. Norm-referenced tests

Answer: (C)

Anecdotal records are not considered a formal assessment because they are typically informal observations made by teachers or educators about a student’s behavior, skills, or understandings in a naturalistic setting over time. These records are subjective and provide qualitative information rather than quantitative data that can be statistically analyzed.

In contrast, standardized tests, criterion-referenced tests, and norm-referenced tests are all structured assessments designed to measure specific skills or knowledge against a set standard or to compare a student's performance with that of a larger group. These assessments provide objective data that educators can use to evaluate student learning, performance trends, and instructional effectiveness. Consequently, anecdotal records stand apart from these formal assessment tools, which aim for systematic evaluation.